Nothing in life can adequately prepare you for getting married. Once you and your partner tie the knot, you enter into a legally binding contract to support one another, be faithful, and share a life together.
Even if you and your partner have been together for years and have already established a bond, you still have to consider the wedding. Weddings take a ton of planning and coordination, which can add a lot of stress to your life.
But don’t worry, wedding planning doesn’t have to be an anxiety-fueled process. We are here to help you along the way and ensure your sanity. Keep reading for our complete wedding planning guide to assist you throughout the preparation for your special day.
Pick the Date
The first step in how to plan a wedding is choosing your date. We recommend planning your wedding several months in advance to ensure you have enough time to take care of all the details. Having time on your side will also help you avoid excess stress when speed bumps arise (like a caterer falling out or the seamstress making a mistake with your dress).
Choose a date that’s convenient and important to you. If you have a specific date in mind that you’re not willing to budge on, your wedding planning process will revolve around that date. This isn’t uncommon and shouldn’t present too many issues, provided the date isn’t right around the corner.
Identify Your Wedding Theme
Next, choose a theme for your wedding. Do you want a modern wedding in a luxury hotel ballroom, a classic wedding in a church, or a rustic wedding outdoors?
Identifying your wedding theme will help you plan out the rest of your wedding moving forward. If you keep everything on a theme, choosing the music, dress attire, decor, and food will be much simpler. Of course, nothing says you have to choose a specific theme if you prefer to keep it more eclectic.
Determine Your Wedding Budget
Establishing your budget early on is one of the most important wedding planning tips. Your budget will dictate how much you can spend on your venue, entertainment, food, and more. You need to know how much money you’re working with in the beginning to streamline your wedding planning process.
Your budget will also determine how many quests you can afford to invite. More guests mean more food, a bigger venue, more tables, and chairs, etc.
Start Shopping for a Wedding Gown Early
As soon as possible, start shopping for the perfect wedding dress. Finding the right dress for the right price could take several shopping trips. Once you find it, it could take weeks for the seamstress to make the necessary alterations.
The last thing you need is for your wedding day to arrive before your dress is ready. Finding the right wedding gown means sticking to your budget, choosing the right style for your wedding theme, and identifying the best type of dress for your body type.
After selecting a dress and getting measured for it, it’s important to watch your weight. You don’t want to gain or lose much weight leading up to your wedding, or your dress won’t fit properly.
Establish Your Guest List
With your budget in mind, you can start to plan your guest list. If you have a large budget and want a large wedding, you can invite almost anyone you want.
Conversely, if you have a small venue, a limited budget, or prefer a small and intimate wedding, the guest list will be more difficult to refine. Start with the most important people on your list.
This includes close friends and family members. Then, you can start filling in the rest of your guest list with distant family members, less-important friends, coworkers, etc.
Find and Reserve the Perfect Wedding Venue
Now that you know your budget and how many guests you want to invite, it’s time to find the best wedding venue. The venue you select must accommodate your guests and match the theme you’ve chosen for your wedding. This part of your wedding planning is essential for pulling off the entire event.
Start your search for the venue early so you can reserve it as soon as possible. Popular venues for weddings and other events are often booked out weeks (if not months) in advance. Trying to reserve a venue last-minute probably won’t work out very well.
Aside from the venue’s location, size, and aesthetics, there are other things to consider. For example, what types of services and accommodations does the venue offer? This includes:
- Tables
- Seating
- Dance areas
- Bathrooms
- Parking
- Dressing rooms
- Heating and air conditioning
- Cleanup services
- Wifi
Learn as much as you can about prospective venues before making your choice. Visiting each venue in person is one of the best wedding planning ideas. This will give you a better feeling of how it will feel to have your wedding there.
Look for the Best Local Caterers
The next step in our wedding planning guide is selecting caterers to feed you and your guests. Now’s also the time to decide if you want to serve alcohol at your wedding. Some caterers also provide this service, though you may need to hire a separate company if you’re going to serve alcohol.
Consider the theme of your wedding and your food preferences to identify the best caterers. Also, decide if you want buffet-style catering or individual plates for each guest. Keep in mind that some people might have food in tolerances or special dietary restrictions.
Take a look at our vendor directory to get an idea of your catering options.
Think About Music and Entertainment
Finally, an important part of wedding planning is learning how to keep your guests entertained after the ceremony. What type of entertainment will you provide at the wedding reception?
Live bands and DJs are popular options. This allows people to get out, dance, and have a good time. Dancing is generally a wedding tradition as well. Other entertainment options include:
- Stage magicians
- Photo booths
- Hypnotists
- Caricature artists
- Karaoke
- And more
Figure out the most appropriate and fun forms of entertainment based on your guest list, your wedding theme, and your personal preferences.
Looking for More Help With Your Wedding Planning?
We hope you enjoyed our wedding planning checklist. Learning how to plan a wedding requires a steep learning curve. Follow our guide to avoid stress and ensure things go as smoothly as possible.
And if you’re looking for more wedding advice, look no further. Our blog is dedicated to helping brides and grooms prepare for the big day. For in-depth guides, please take a look at our bride checklist and groom checklist.
Wedding Details is your comprehensive guide to all aspects of your wedding. From traditional ceremonies to questions regarding the guests, our website offers you one place to do all your research.